DATA SCIENTIST

Summary

Who may apply: Current, permanent DoD Federal Civilian Employees in the competitive service, eligible Priority Placement Program DoD Military Spouse Preference applicants, and eligible PPP applicants.

Duties

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• Uses expert knowledge of and the application of data analytics, statistical analysis, modeling/simulation, and/or other scientific principles, methods, and techniques.
• Demonstrates sufficient knowledge in the areas of business needs, domain knowledge, analytical skills, and software and systems engineering to manage the end-to end data processes in the data life cycle.
• Builds analytical, econometric and/or statistical models for various problems inclusive of projections, classification, clustering, pattern analysis, sampling, simulations, etc.
• Generates actionable insights applying advanced statistical techniques, for example, predictive statistical models and simulations, segmentation analysis, customer profiling, analysis, survey design, and data mining.
• Collaborates with other data science functional team members to communicate obstacles and findings to relevant stakeholders in an effort to improve decision-making and drive business performance.
• Conducts a thorough and rigorous security impact analysis for all DFAS data analytics.
• Uses advanced knowledge of data engineering and data science tools (Databricks, Pyspark, Python, R, SQL, etc.) to support the development, deployment, modification and sustainment of data pipelines.
• Provides guidance on best practices to junior data engineers/data scientist on code implementation, data modeling techniques and Databricks platform usage.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959)
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Time after Competitive Appointment: Candidates must have served 3 months after latest competitive appointment in the Federal service.
• This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
• Time in Grade Requirement - see the Qualifications field below for more details.
• Obtain/Maintain Financial Management Certification
• New employees to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.
• The incumbent of this position will be required to be physically on-site full-time, regular telework is not authorized for this position.

Qualifications

This position has a positive education requirement. To qualify for this position you must meet one of the basic requirements described below:

A. Degree: Mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field directly related to the position. The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study (30 semester hours) as shown in paragraph A above, plus additional education or appropriate experience.

You need to send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position. Click here for more information on who must submit documentation at the time of application and what documentation is acceptable: Transcripts and Certifications.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, qualified applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-13) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Specialized Experience is defined as: Designing and developing of data analytics/science related products; conducting analysis using software and/or programming languages such as QLIK, Python, PHP or SAS to test hypotheses and predict outcomes; and applying statistical theories, techniques, and methods to gather, analyze, interpret, and/or report quantified information.

Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement. Applicant must have served 52 weeks as a GS-13 or higher grade in Federal Service.

You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

Education

Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at this grade level.

Additional information

• The General Schedule (GS) basic pay schedule may vary by geographic locality. To view pay rates in a specific location visit the Office of Personnel Management pay tables at ;/li>
• Moving expenses maybe paid.
• The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here.
• For positions where relocation is paid (see Location block of vacancy announcement), you can learn more about relocation allowances and entitlements.
• Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need.
• We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition.
• Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.
• A one year probationary or trial period may be required.
• We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date.
• This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Travel requirement is seldom 1-24%.
• This position is covered by a bargaining unit.
• Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here)
• The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements.
• Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer. Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information.
• All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact for assistance.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.